Second Half Rally Falls Short as Men's Soccer Drops Season Opener

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College men's soccer team took to Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field Friday afternoon to open the season with a battle against Hiram. Despite an intense second half, the Yellow Jackets' comeback efforts fell just short as they dropped the affair 3-2. 

With first year Head Coach Cory Bucur on the touchline, the new era of Yellow Jacket men's soccer was off to a challenging start as Hiram tallied the first goal of the contest just 1:47 into play. Despite two more Terrier goals, coach Bucur's side was poised to fight back. 

With just under 30 minutes left on the clock, Jarren Casto (Celina / Celina) took advantage of the Terrier goalkeeper off his line. The junior launched a driven chip over the keepers outstretched hands for the Purple and Gold's first goal of the season. As the momentum picked up, the freshman duo of Armando Campos-Ortiz (Dayton / Carroll) and Noah Svanberg (Grand Rapids / Ostego) connected to pull within one of the visitors. Svanberg was poised along the top of the 18-yard box as he slipped a pass through the Terrier backline to give Campos-Ortiz the one-on-one opportunity to score his debut goal. 

On the day, Campos-Ortiz recorded a team-best two shots, both of which landed on frame. Also adding shots to the mix were Eli Rogers (Gibsonburg / Woodmore), Chase Stiner (St. Joseph, Ill. / St. Joseph Ogden), CJ Koller (Vermilion / Vermilion) and Christian Rennie (Conroe, Tex. / Porter). 

Harrison Hirth (Lapeer, Mich. / Lapeer) had his work cut out for him in goal. The sophomore faced 11 shots on goal and made eight saves in his 90 minutes between the posts. 

The Yellow Jackets will return to action Sunday, September 1, as they continue the Purple and Gold Classic with a visit from Edgewood College. Kick-off is slated for 2:00 pm.